Waheeda Rehman, who made her debut with famous Telugu movie “Rojulu Marayi” 68 years ago and went on to act in cult classics such as “Pyaasa” and “Guide” Bollywood movies, was named recipient of the prestigious “Dadasaheb Phalke” Award, the union government’s highest recognition in the field of cinema. The veteran actress known for her beauty and acting skills, has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. This was announced by Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur through micro blogging platform "X"(formerly Twitter).

Anurag lauded the legendary actress "stellar contribution to Indian Cinema" and highlighted veteran actress previous achievements.  The award for the year 2021 will be presented during the 69th National Film awards ceremony.

“I’m doubly happy because it is Dev Anand’s birthday. I think ‘taufa unko milna tha, mujhe mil gaya’, Waheeda told media on the birth centenary of her frequent collaborator.

The five-member jury comprised Waheeda Rehman’s close friend and last year’s Dadasaheb award winner Asha Parekh, actors Chiranjeevi, Paresh Rawal and Prosenjit Chatterjee as well as filmmaker Shekhar Kapur. Regarded as one of the finest actors of the country, Waheeda, also an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, made her debut in Telugu cinema “Rojulu Maarayi” in 1955. She entered in Hindi cinema field with Guru Dutt’s “CID” opposite Dev Anand. However, she has acted in more Hindi films in her career; she will always be the queen of hearts Telugu cinema fans.

Bollywood Queen Starts in the South:

Waheeda was born in a Deccani Muslim family in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu in February, 1938. Father Mohammad Abdur Rahman and mother Mumtaz Begum. His father was the Municipal Commissioner of Visakhapatnam in the Madras Presidency. She spent her childhood there. Waheeda and her three sisters were trained in Bharatanatyam in Madras. Waheeda's dream was to become a doctor, but due to her family's circumstances emotionally and financially, alongside her mother's illness, she abandoned her goal. In order to help her family, she accepted movie offers that stemmed from her dancing abilities. Considering the financial situation of the family, she first entered the theater and then the film industry.

In 1974, Waheeda married Shashi Rekhi(Screen name Kamaljit)and both had worked together prior in the film "Shagoon"(1964).After death of her husband in 2000, she moved back to her sea-view bungalow in Mumbai.  Her two sons Sohail Rekhi and Kashvi Rekhi, both of them are cine writers. 

Unforgettable "Eeruvaka" Girl:

She made her acting debut as a heroine with Telugu films “Rojulu Maraayi” and “Jayasimha”. Super doper hit song of seventies 'Eeruvaka Sagaro Ranno chinnanna ' from “Rojulu Marayi” film brought her good recognition. Next she acted in the films Bangaru Samayam, and Simhasanam.

Waheeda was comfortably straddling the twin worlds of “Kaagaz ke Phool” and “Ram aur Shyam”. Some of her most memorable performances were with Guru Dutt — “Pyaasa”, “Kaagaz Ke Phool”, “Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam” and “Chaudha vi Ka Chand”. Her filmography includes Khamoshi, Kabhi Kabhie, Reshma Aur Shera, which got her the National Award, and Trishul.

In 1962, Waheda's psychological thriller “Bees Saal Baad” set records as the highest grossing film in the Bollywood industry.  Her film “Teesri Kasam” was selected as the National Best Film at that time. She also acted in some Bengali movies. Also worked with famous director Satyajith Ray in a movie “Abhijan”. In 1965, she won the Film fare Award for the first time for the film “Guide” with Dev Anand.

Waheeda was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011. In 2018, she acted as a Kashmiri mother in Kamal Haasan's film 'Vishwaroopam-2'. Her most recent film appearance was in 2021’s “Skater Girl”, a coming-of-age sports drama.

As a heroin she ruled the industry until late seventies. After that she got good recognition as a character artist. In the eighties, she shifted to mother roles. Sentiment, romance, drama, horror... she is recognized as a wonderful actress who can express any emotion easily.

She could be the heroine who ruled Bollywood once upon a time. But she is a “Tamil Ponnu”, who started her life journey from the south. She may be eighty-seven-year-old lady! But she was unforgettable beauty queen, who thrilled the hearts of Telugu film fans with the song “Eruvaka Sagaro”.